Florida SS.K.G.1.3

Social StudiesKindergartenThe World in Spatial Terms

The Standard

Identify cardinal directions (north, south, east, west).

Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Social Studies · Geography

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students use a compass rose to tell which way places or objects lie. They match north, south, east, and west to positions on a simple map.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given an unlabeled compass rose, a student labels all four points correctly. The student can follow a direction such as “move one step east” on a floor map.
Common Misconceptions: Students often treat north as “forward,” so they change it when they turn around. They may reverse east and west or confuse cardinal directions with left and right.
How to Assess It: Give students a four-point compass rose with north marked. Ask them to label the other points, then circle the direction opposite east.

Lesson moves

Tape a large compass rose on the floor, then have students stand in the center and step toward each direction you call.
Show a classroom map and ask, “Which direction would you travel from the door to the teacher’s desk?”
Play Compass Simon Says, using commands such as “face north,” “step west,” and “point south.”
Use a school map to find whether the cafeteria, playground, or office is north, south, east, or west of the classroom.

Keep exploring

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